Technology is making life easier for some dairy farmers．They use robotic systems to milk their cows．Cows are trained to follow a series of paths that lead to milking stations．Only one cow at a time can enter a station．
Once inside，the cow is rewarded with food．As the cow eats，a robotic arm cleans and connects the animal to the milking machine．A few minutes later，milking is complete．The gate is opened，the cow is released and the next cow enters．
The robotic systems are designed to operate 24 hours a day．The cows get to decide when they want to be milked．Cows are milked an average of about three times a day．Some are milked four to six times a day．
The cows wear collars around their necks that identify them to the system．A computer keeps records on their eating and milking．A cow is released from the station if the computer decides it should not be milked．
The automated system also measures the temperature and color of freshly produced milk．Milk is thrown away if it does not pass the tests．
Professor Plaut believes the systems will appeal（吸引） especially to the next generation of farmers．She means young people who are more interested in technology and less interested in working all the time on the farm．Still，she says the price of robotic milking systems will continue to limit their use．
Doug and Tina Suhr have more than 100 cows on their family farm．Last year it became the fourth farm in southeast Minnesota to get a robotic milking system．A recent story in a local agricultural newspaper said the first robot cost 175 000 dollars．The second cost 150 000．
Doug told AgriNews that wages that would have been paid for one employee in five years will pay for one robot．He says the increase in milk production reaches a high of more than six kilograms per cow per day．From the first paragraph，we can infer________．
| A．the robotic system is designed to reduce labor |
| B．cows can be raised by robots in the future |
| C．robots direct cows into milking stations |
| D．cows are kept clean by robots on some farms |
Besides milking cows，the robotic system also can______．
| A．adjust the temperature of milking stations |
| B．judge the quality of fresh milk |
| C．improve the appetite of cows |
| D．keep fresh milk for two weeks |
Why is the robotic system not popular now?
| A．Because young people have no interest in it． |
| B．Because it is difficult to learn how to use it． |
| C．Because people can’t afford to buy it． |
| D．Because it usually causes the waste of milk． |
According to Doug，what is the wage of an employee?
| A．150 000～170 000． | B．750 000． |
| C．150 000～30 000． | D．30 000—32 000 |
The best title for the passage may be_________．
| A．Letting robot milk your cow | B．Milking cows by hand |
| C．Improving the quality of milk | D．Drinking fresh milk every day |
There are many theories about the beginning of drama in ancient Greece. The one most widely accepted today is based on the assumption that drama came from ritual (宗教仪式). The argument for this view goes as follows. In the beginning, human beings viewed the natural forces of the world, even the seasonal changes, as unpredictable, and they sought through various means, to control these unknown and feared powers. Those measures which appeared to bring the desired results were then kept and repeated until they hardened into fixed rituals. Eventually stories arose which explained the mysteries of the rites. As time passed some rituals were abandoned, but the stories, later called myths (神话), coutinued to exist and provided material for art and drama.
Those who believe that drama came from ritual also argue that those rites contained the seed of theater because music, dance, masks, and costumes were almost always used. Furthermore, a suitable site had to be provided for performances and when the entire community did not participate, a clear division was usually made between the “acting area” and the “watching area.” In addition, there were performers, and, since considerable importance was attached to avoiding mistakes in performing, religious leaders usually undertook that task. Wearing masks and costumes, they often imitated other people, animals, or supernatural beings, and used gestures about the desired effect, success in hunt or battle, the coming rain, the revival (复活) of the Sun. Eventually such dramatic representations were separated from religious activities.
Another theory traces the theater’s origin from the human interest in storytelling. According to this view, tales about the hunt, war, or other feats are gradually added in detail, at first through imitation, action, and dialogue by a narrator and then through the assumption of each of the roles by a different person. A closely-related theory traces theater to those dances that are primarily rhythmical and gymnastic or that are imitations of animal movements and sounds.
67．What does the passage mainly discuss?
A. The origins of theater. B. The role of ritual in modern dance.
C. The importance of storytelling. D. The variety of early religious activities.
68．What aspect of drama does the author discuss in the first parapraph?
A. The reason why drama is often unpredictable.
B. The seasons in which dramas were performed.
C. The connection between myths and dramatic plots.
D. The importance of costumes in early drama.
69．Which of the following is NOT mentioned as a common element of theater and ritual?
A. Dance. B. Costumes. C. Music. D. Magic.
70．According to the passage, what is the main difference between ritual and drama?
A. Ritual uses music whereas drama does not.
B. Ritual is shorter than drama.
C. Ritual requires fewer performers than drama.
D. Ritual has a religious purpose and drama does not.
Someday a stranger will read your e-mail without your permission or scan the websites you’ve visited. Or perhaps someone will casually glance through your credit card purchases or cell phone bills to find out your shopping preferences or calling habits.
In fact, it’s likely some of these things have already happened to you. Who would watch you without your permission? It might be a spouse, a girlfriend, a marketing company, a boss, a cop or a criminal. Whoever it is, they will see you in a way you never intended to be seen—the 21st century equivalent(equal) of being caught naked.
Psychologists tell us boundaries (dividing line) are healthy, that it’s important to reveal yourself to friends, family and lovers in stages, at appropriate times. But few boundaries remain. The digital bread pieces you leave everywhere make it easy for strangers to reconstruct who you are, where you are and what you like. In some cases, a simple Google search can reveal what you think. Like it or not, increasingly we live in a world where you simply cannot keep a secret.
Thekeyquestionis:Doesthatmatter?
FormanyAmericans,theanswerapparentlyis“no.”
When opinion polls (民意测验) ask Americans about privacy, most say they are concerned about losing it. A survey found an overwhelming (very large) pessimism about privacy, with 60 percent of respondents saying they feel their privacy is “slipping away, and that bothers me.”
But people say one thing and do another. Only a tiny part of Americans change any behaviors in an effort to preserve (protect) their privacy. Few people turn down a discount at tollbooths (收费站) to avoid using the EZ-Pass system that can track automobile movements. And few turn down supermarket loyalty cards. Privacy economist Alessanfro Acquisti has run a series of tests that reveal people will surrender personal information like Social Security numbers just to get their hands on a pitiful 50-cents-off coupon (优惠券).
But privacy does matter—at least sometimes. It’s like health: when you have it, you don’t notice it. Only when it’s gone do you wish you’d done more to protect it.
63．What would psychologists advise on the relationships between friends?
A. Friends should open their hearts to each other.
B. Friends should always be faithful to each other.
C. There should be a distance even between friends.
D. There should be fewer disputes between friends.
64．Why does the author say “we live in a world where you simply cannot keep a secret” (Line 4—5, Para, 3)?
A. Modern society has finally developed into an open society.
B. People leave traces around when using modern technology.
C. There are always people who are curious about others’ affairs.
D. Many search engines profit by revealing people’s identities.
65．What do most Americans do about privacy protection?
A. They change behaviors that might disclose their identity.
B. They use various loyalty cards for business deals.
C. They rely more and more on electronic devices.
D. They talk a lot but hardly do anything about it.
66．According to the passage, privacy is like health because ________.
A. people will make every effort to keep it
B. its importance is rarely understood
C. it is something that can easily be lost
D. people don’t cherish it until they lose it
I don’t ever want to talk about being a woman scientist again. There was a time in my life when people asked constantly for stories about what it’s like to work in a field dominated (controlled) by men. I was never very good at telling those stories because truthfully I never found them interesting. What I do find interesting is the origin of the universe, the shape of space, time and the nature of black holes.
At 19, when I began studying astrophysics (天体物理学), it did not bother me in the least to be the only woman in the classroom. But while earning my Ph.D. at MIT and then as a post-doctor doing space research, the issue started to bother me. My every achievement—jobs, research papers, awards—was viewed through the lens of gender politics. So were my failures. Sometimes, when I was pushed into an argument on left brain versus right brain, or nature versus nurture (培育), I would instantly fight fiercely on my behalf and all womankind.
Then one day a few years ago, out of my mouth came a sentence that would eventually become my reply to any and all provocations (挑衅): I don’t talk about that anymore. It took me 10 years to get back the confidence I had at 19 and to realize that I didn’t want to deal with gender issues. Why should curing sexism be yet another terrible burden on every female scientist? After all, I don’t study sociology or political theory.
Today I research and teach at Barnard, a women’s college in New York City. Recently, someone asked me how many of the 45 students in my class were women. You cannot imagine my satisfaction at being able to answer, 45. I know some of my students worry how they will manage their scientific research and a desire for children. And I don’t take account of those concerns. Still, I don’t tell them “war” stories. Instead, I have given them this: the visual of their physics professor heavily pregnant (怀孕的) doing physics experiments. And in turn they have given me the image of 45 women driven by a love of science. And that’s a sight worth talking about.
59．From Paragraph 2, we can infer that people would attribute (把……归因于) the author’s failures to ________.
A. the very fact that she is a woman
B. her involvement in gender politics
C. her over-confidence as a female astrophysicist
D. the burden she bears in a male-dominated society
60．What did the author constantly fight against while doing her Ph.D. and post-doctoral research?
A. Lack of confidence in succeeding in space science.
B. Unfair accusations (accusing sb.) from both inside and outside her circle.
C. People’s fixed attitude toward female scientists.
D. Widespread wrong understanding about nature and nurture.
61．Why does the author feel great satisfaction when talking about her class?
A. Female students no longer have to bother about gender issues.
B. Her students’ performance has brought back her confidence.
C. Her female students can do just as well as male students.
D. More female students are pursuing science than before.
62．What does the image that the author presents to her students suggest?
A. Women students needn’t have the concerns of her generation.
B. Women have more difficulties on their way to academic success.
C. Women can balance a career in science and having a family.
D. Women now have fewer problems pursuing a science career.
●CAFE DISPLAY
●OUR JOURNEYS
●12 April-29 May 2008
Young people explore how they have adapted to life in Oxford.
“When I first came here,” says one young African woman, “I just wanted to cry all the time. And now I have learned to laugh again.” Working with photographer Rory Carnegie and writer Nikki van der Gaag, young men and women explore their journey from the time they first arrived in a strange place to where they find themselves today. Organised by The Sunday Times Oxford Literary Festival (10－17 April 2008). Supported by the Maggie Black Trust and Oxford City Council.
●ACTIVlTlES FOR CHlLDREN AND FAMILIES
●MODERN ART TROLLEY FREE
Art activities for children every weekend during the exhibition in the Entrance Space from 2 p. m. to 4 p. m. Just drop in. Children must be led by an adult.
●WORKSHOP FOR 8 TO 12 YEAR OLDS
Thursday 7 April, 10：30 a. m. to 1：30 p. m.
Looking at themes from the exhibition and exploring pictures based ideas through group discussion and using digital cameras. Led by Judie Waldmann.
●BOOK LAUNCH FREE
The Drawing Book by Sarah Simblet is a practical approach to drawing the world around you. Sarah Simblet, who teaches at the Ruskin School of Drawing and Fine Art, University of Oxford, will be present to give a short talk about the development of her book. Special price of￡18 on copies purchased in the evening.
Booking recommended on 01865 813802
●TEACHERS’EVENING FREE
Thursday 21 April, 5 p.m. to 7：30 p. m.
Lecture by Susan Bright, independent writer and lecturer, at 5：30 p. m. followed by an opportunity to view the exhibition. FREE Education Notes will be provided for teachers attending the evening.
●WORKSHOP FOR PRIMARY TEACHERS
Saturday 7 May, 10：30 a. m. to 1：30 p. m.
Workshop for primary teachers who would like to develop their practical art skill as well as gain an understanding of modern art practice. Led by Judie Waldmann, artist and former primary school teacher.
●TALKS AND WORKSHOPS FOR SCHOOL GROUPS
Exhibition talks and artist-led workshops to create work in response to the exhibition are available for pre-booked school groups.Suitable for primary and secondary schools, to check availability and discuss details call Sarah Mossop on 1865 813816.
55．If you are a teacher and interested in art, you probably would like to go to ________.
A. TEACHERS’EVENING
B. MODERN ART TROLLEY
C. WORKSHOP FOR PRIMARY TEACHERS
D. TALKS AND WORKSHOPS FOR SCHOOL GROUPS
56．What can we learn from the passage？
A. Susan Bright will give a short talk at the launch of the Drawing Book.
B. Rory Carnegie and Nikki will teach young people how to take photos.
C. The workshop led by Judie is intended for the secondary school students.
D. The children who go to the Modern Art Trolley must be led by an adult.
57．Which of the following would be the best title of the text？
A. FREE JOURNEYS B. SPRING EVENTS
C. WEEKEND ACTIVITIES D. ACTIVITIES FOR TEACHERS
58．The passage makes you believe that __________.
A. if you attend “BOOK LAUNCH”, you can get the book at a low price.
B. school groups can attend talks and workshops for them at any time.
C. almost all the young people have difficulty in adapting to life in Oxford.
D. TEACHERS’ EVENING is only accessible to teachers.
第三部分：阅读理解（共20小题；每小题2分，满分40分）
阅读下列短文，从每题所给的四个选项（A、B、C和D）中，选出最佳选项，并在答题卡上将该项涂黑。
For Senior 3 students, choosing which college to attend can be the most exciting and thrilling time in their entire school lives. This is also true for an American girl named Melanie in the film, College Road Trip, which was released in the US on March 7.
Melanie’s dad, James Porter, is the chief of police for a Chicago suburb. Incredibly security obsessed（困扰）, he wants Melanie to attend nearby Northwestern University, where she’s already been accepted. But Melanie, 17, really wants to go to Georgetown in Washington, D.C., where she’s been wait-listed.
When she gets an unexpected interview, she decides to take a road trip with a few close female friends. Melanie believes it is her first step toward adulthood.
But despite the fact that this trip is “girls only”, James isn’t comfortable with the prospect of his little princess exploring the world without him. He wants to protect her.
James joins the girls and hopes he can convince her to go to Northwestern. While Melanie’s father only has the best of intentions, his presence leads to an endless series of comic encounters.
After following their faulty GPS device deep into the backwoods, James and Melanie discover her little brother and his pet pig have been hiding in the spare tire compartment（隔间）. What should be a simple tire change results in the expensive car rolling down a mountain, forcing them to hike to a nearby hotel. There the pig ruins an outdoor wedding reception after eating an entire bag of coffee beans.
All these disasters add spice to their trip while along the way a father and a daughter finally get the chance to really talk to each other.
The film explores the parent-child relationship in a comic way: The discrepancy（不同） between how close James thinks he is to Melanie and how little he actually knows of her plans makes us laugh first and then think.
All parents, whether they have college students or not, can relate to the bittersweet realization that their kids are growing up. Like what Melanie and James have done in the film, we all can find the delicate balance between staying connected and letting go.
51．According to the passage, which of the following is TRUE?
A．It’s unclear whether Melanie could be accepted by Northwestern University.
B．Northwestern University isn’t so famous as the university in Washington D.C..
C．There is no hope that Melanie will be accepted by the university in Georgetown.
D．Melanie’s father prefers her to stay not too far away from him.
52．We can infer from the passage that ________.
A．their car rolled down the mountain, ruining the wedding reception
B．a hotel was destroyed by Melanie’s brother and his pet pig
C．Melanie and her father got to understand each other better after so many encounters
D．the girls had to give up their trip because of the incidents on the way
53．What does the underlined word “released” mean?
A. set free B. known C. shown D. developed
54．The main purpose of the passage is to _______.
A．introduce the newly-released film
B．call on parents to learn to balance the relationship with their children
C．tell a story which happened between an American girl and her father
D．explore the differences in parent-child relationship between the west and the east